Train passengers paying £215 a day at station car parks

Rail firms in Britain are charging commuters up to £215 a day for parking.

Train operators were accused of "daylight robbery" after the figures emerged, with some of the most expensive railway parking found at Liverpool Lime Street (£215 per day), Birmingham New Street (£215) and Leeds (£215).

The Times reports that the most expensive annual parking charge is at Birmingham Snow Hill at £3,003.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association rail union says that drastic action is needed to make rail travel more affordable, such as strict regulation of parking fees.

According to the Daily Mail, union general secretary Manuel Cortes said: "Rail passengers are being caught in the cross fire by these greedy rail firms.

"They can charge what they like for parking because, unlike key rail fares, there is no government cap, it is a free for all."

He added: "Charging over £200 for all day parking in station car parks at Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds is little short of daylight robbery."

Figures show that rail firms are making £800 million a year in parking fees from train passengers who are already paying £9 billion in fares.

Network Rail owns and runs the 18 biggest train stations in the country, including King's Cross, Liverpool Lime Street and Birmingham New Street.